A lot of times it's the plastic track that breaks. You can hear the motor and the antenna doesn't really move. You can either unplug the motor so you don't have to listen to it every time you turn the key, do something like the Tacoma whip or simply replace the mast and track for about $20ish bucks. If you do replace it pull the motor apart and remove any broken bits before installing the new one.

More info in my build thread, post 2 has table of contents or search antenna motor within thread. Lots of other info around here besides what I've got, too.
start with post 332
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f200...1/index17.html
You only need to get any track bits out, I tend to dig deeper than I need to out of curiosity. When I regreased I used a plastics safe lithium grease, but there's pretty darned much grease already in there.

PS. Always nice to know year, make, model and that sort of thing when answering questions...

 

Some important info in this thread.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...w-issue-2.html

Br careful about which replacement mast you buy. Mine is still working perfectly 2 1/2 years after the fix. I used white lithium grease.

 

awesome, it is a 98 4wd v6 non limited

think I'll pull the antenna fuse for now and replace as you guys mentioned eventually.